Michael Merrifield
@astromikemerri.bsky.social
Emeritus professor of astronomy at the University of Nottingham. Too frequent appearances on YouTube. All my own views.
Everyone is hungry today. 🪶
November 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Everyone is hungry today. 🪶
He is not wrong. The best I could do while head of school was the prophylactic offering of trying to protect my staff from the worst of it, to preserve a bubble of academic environment.
November 15, 2025 at 9:31 AM
He is not wrong. The best I could do while head of school was the prophylactic offering of trying to protect my staff from the worst of it, to preserve a bubble of academic environment.
Uh-oh! It seems that my post-retirement messing around with digital electronics is a manifestation of evil.
November 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Uh-oh! It seems that my post-retirement messing around with digital electronics is a manifestation of evil.
By the wonders of two mini stepper motors, a little digital electronics, some ChatGPT-assisted coding, and some nifty 3D printing, I give you the interactive experience that is sure to sweep the nation: TTA — Tiny Theft Auto.
OK, I’ll stop now.
OK, I’ll stop now.
November 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
By the wonders of two mini stepper motors, a little digital electronics, some ChatGPT-assisted coding, and some nifty 3D printing, I give you the interactive experience that is sure to sweep the nation: TTA — Tiny Theft Auto.
OK, I’ll stop now.
OK, I’ll stop now.
(In fact, seem to have called in the Swedish Air Force for the job.)
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
(In fact, seem to have called in the Swedish Air Force for the job.)
It’s that time of the year once more when the RAF bomb the baby seals at Donna Nook.
(Relax — the bombing range is a little further down the coast.)
(Relax — the bombing range is a little further down the coast.)
November 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It’s that time of the year once more when the RAF bomb the baby seals at Donna Nook.
(Relax — the bombing range is a little further down the coast.)
(Relax — the bombing range is a little further down the coast.)
A first for our bird feeder. 🪶
November 12, 2025 at 12:47 PM
A first for our bird feeder. 🪶
A reminder that you should not keep rotating your telescope in the same direction indefinitely. 🔭
(spacenews.com/key-antenna-...)
(spacenews.com/key-antenna-...)
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
A reminder that you should not keep rotating your telescope in the same direction indefinitely. 🔭
(spacenews.com/key-antenna-...)
(spacenews.com/key-antenna-...)
Where’s Bayleaf when you need him? IYKYK
November 11, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Where’s Bayleaf when you need him? IYKYK
3I/ATLAS Update: would you believe it? It’s *still* a comet. 🔭
(www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/11/11/i...)
(www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/11/11/i...)
November 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM
3I/ATLAS Update: would you believe it? It’s *still* a comet. 🔭
(www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/11/11/i...)
(www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/11/11/i...)
Giving the new electronics a work out… and I think I even just about stayed within track limits!
November 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Giving the new electronics a work out… and I think I even just about stayed within track limits!
I be am a big fan of prototyping boards that look just like breadboards, so you can translate a circuit directing over.
Though did I mention that I really dislike soldering?
Though did I mention that I really dislike soldering?
November 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I be am a big fan of prototyping boards that look just like breadboards, so you can translate a circuit directing over.
Though did I mention that I really dislike soldering?
Though did I mention that I really dislike soldering?
Maybe it’s time I tried a different game…
November 8, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Maybe it’s time I tried a different game…
Yes we do. Thrusters don’t thrust in random directions. Also, it’s a comet.
November 8, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Yes we do. Thrusters don’t thrust in random directions. Also, it’s a comet.
#3IATLAS update: it’s still a comet.
Now far enough from the Sun to get a decent view of its fairly complex tail structure (www.facebook.com/share/p/184n...). 🔭
Now far enough from the Sun to get a decent view of its fairly complex tail structure (www.facebook.com/share/p/184n...). 🔭
November 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM
#3IATLAS update: it’s still a comet.
Now far enough from the Sun to get a decent view of its fairly complex tail structure (www.facebook.com/share/p/184n...). 🔭
Now far enough from the Sun to get a decent view of its fairly complex tail structure (www.facebook.com/share/p/184n...). 🔭
If you get bored with driving the world’s smallest luxury sports car round the track, then you can take the world’s smallest luxury motor yacht out for a spin instead.
November 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
If you get bored with driving the world’s smallest luxury sports car round the track, then you can take the world’s smallest luxury motor yacht out for a spin instead.
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Do these count?
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Do these count?
Cracking topic, Gromit.
November 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Cracking topic, Gromit.
What’s the betting that the University’s senior management didn’t even consider this point, let alone quantify its likely impact, before deciding to “suspend” music.
November 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM
What’s the betting that the University’s senior management didn’t even consider this point, let alone quantify its likely impact, before deciding to “suspend” music.
Quite a place, if a little hidden from view! hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/EN37...
November 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Quite a place, if a little hidden from view! hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/EN37...
🏴🏳️ Track limits exceeded…
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
🏴🏳️ Track limits exceeded…
A bit of culture at the New Art Exchange.
November 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
A bit of culture at the New Art Exchange.